Bicycle-saddle



(No` Modem T. J. KIRKPATRICK.

` vBICYCLE SADDLE.

No. 289,272. Patented Nov'. 27, 1888.

n PETERS, PholLixhognpmr. wnshinglan. D. C.

Unire STATESl -ATENr Fries.

THOMAS JEFFERSON KIRKPA'IRIGK, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

BICYCLE-SADDLE;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 289,272, dated November27,1883,

Application tiled July 11, 1883-. (No model.) A

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LT. J. KIRKPATRICK, of Springfield, in the county ofClarke and State of Ohio, have invented certain Improvements inBicycle-Saddles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to improvements upon thebicycle-saddlev for which Letters Patent of the United States weregranted to me on the 29th dav of May, `1883, No. 27 8,560.

The improvement consists, mainly, in combining with the frame or treehaving elevated ends and a flexible seat suspended therefromwinding-drums and locking devices located at the front, as a means ofstraining the flexible seat and giving the same the required tension.

Referring t0 the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents aperspective view of my improved saddle. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectionof the same on the linexx. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the frame ortree, having the seat or 4saddle proper removed therefrom.

A represents the tree or frame, the rear end of which is elevated andcurved to sustain and give formto the rear end of the saddle, while itsforward end is forked to pass on opposite sides of the head of themachine, and adapted to sustain the forward ends or arms of the seat,which are forked to correspond, as in my original patent, above referredto. The forward arms, a., of the frame are each provided with anelevated bar, b, and below and in rear of said bar with a transverseroller, c, the outer end of which is made o1' angular form, as shown atel, to seat a wrench or other rotating device,

and provided with a ratchet-wheel, e, which.

is engaged and prevented from turning back ward by a pawl, f, pivoted tothe frame.

B represents the` seat or saddle proper, consisting of a sheet offlexible or pliable material secured at its rear end rigidly to theupper rearedge of the tree, and having its two forward arms or endspassed over the respective bars b and secured to the rollers or drums c,so that upon rotating said drums they are caused to apply a"longitudinal strain or tension to the saddle, which is suspended at itsends only. By tightening the drums Iam enabled to apply any requireddegree of tension to l the saddle, and thus to render the saine more orless elastic and to adapt it to riders of different weights. The factthat the two drums are adjustable independently of each other admits ofthe strain being applied to the two sides of the saddle independently,thus securing equal stiffness at the two sides, notwithstanding thevariable elasticity of the material at different points. the rollers ordrums as the most simple and convenient means of straining the saddle,screws or equivalent devices may be substituted therefor.

In order t0 prevent the cllafing 0f the rider7 s limbs upon the edges ofthe saddle, I provide the seat or saddle proper on each side of its neckor contracted portion with a downwardly-curved extension, g. Theseextensions or flaps are preferably formed in one piece with theysaddleproper, and` being curved downward, as shown, they afford an elasticrounded edge and adapt the saddle to sustain the Weight of the rider inan easy and comfortable manner. s y

The frame may be constructed of Sheetsteel, malleable iron, or othersuitable material, it being preferred in practice to stamp the entireframe in one piece from sheet-steel, this method of constructionsecuring strength, lightness, and elasticity. Vhile the elasticity ofthe saddle or seat proper is relied upon mainly to render the saddleyielding, it is found in practice that when the frame or tree is madesufficiently light it will yield to a limited extent under strain, andserve t-he additional purpose of a spring. It is to be observed thatwhen in action the seat orsaddle rises and falls in a vertical directionand without longitudinal motion, this characteristic being an importantone, in that it avoids the danger ofthe rider being thrown over the headof the machine. Vhile the seat divided at the forward end is preferred,the device may used at the front of a suspension-seat which is notdivided.

The present invention is restricted to those matters and things whichare hereinafter claimed, and as to all matters which may be described orshown, but which are not claimed, the right is reserved to makethe samethe sub ject of a separate application.

Vhile it is preferred to make use of I ani aware that saddles have beenhitherto constructed in which an elastic sheet constituting the seatproper was combined with a frame having upturned ends, from which theseat was suspended by rigid connections.

I ain also aware that sectional saddle frames or trees have beenprovided with adj usting de vices in various forms, for the purpose ofpermitting variations in the tension of the seat; but, so' far as I amaware, such devices have universally failed to give satisfaction, andhave therefore been practically abandoned.

' Having thus described iny invention, what I claini is l. Incombination with the saddle tree or franie having` its ends raised andits forward end forked or bifurcated, and two independentpositively-acting adjusting devices, substantially as described, actingupo'n the forward ends of the seat, whereby the two sides may THOMASJEFFERSON KIRKPATRICK.

Titnessesz (l. E. THORNE, R. A. VORTHINGTON.

